Dr Paton-Ker bedded patient, who was suffering from depression, after clandestine meeting in pub

At the time the patient, then 40, was suffering from depression after splitting from his girlfriend and the GP had increased his dosage of anti-depressants to combat his low moods.

But Paton-Ker also gave the patient her mobile phone number and he then texted her back to say he was attracted to her.

The fling was exposed when incriminating texts about the sexual liason were found by the GP's husband. She referred herself to the General Medical Council when he threatened to report her.

At the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service in Manchester Paton-Ker who has since split up with her husband apologised for the brief affair with the man known only as Patient A who has since transferred to another surgery. She said: "I decided to meet him because I think I recognised there was some level of mutual attraction.

''When we met in a pub it was a weekend and it didn't seem like a doctor/patient scenario - it felt like two adults meeting, although I accept now that it is not how it was.

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"Afterwards I immediately realised I had done something completely outside what I should do as a doctor and felt really shocked about my behaviour. I've never done anything remotely like that before or since. I accept responsibility for my actions absolutely.

"I had things going on but this was ultimately my responsibility to act as a professional and I didn't do that.

"I was just ashamed of my behaviour and really wanted to understand how I couldn't have got myself in that position where I behaved so unprofessionally. I've not had the opportunity to apologise but I do.''

The hearing was told Paton-Ker met the patient in November 27 2013 whilst working at Shipston Medical Centre, Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire.